Squirrelpaw took her newly cobwebbed self outside, where her mentor was busy organising the rebuilding of the barrier. Collars and blood were scattered about the camp, and she winced in disgust. She picked up the collars gingerly, taking them outside the walls. She dropped them in a pile, then kicked earth and moss over them until they were no longer visible.

Satisfied now that BloodClan was truly gone, she decided to restock the fresh-kill pile. The Clan would always be on edge after a battle, so regular things such as hunting would be neglected in the face of repairs. She wandered deeper into the woods, finally coming to a dry creek bed. Pawsteps of apprentices past littered the floor, and she trod in and over them as she chased down a plump vole. Taking her quarry and burying it, she stalked along the creek bed in hopes of some other prey. A nest full of mice waited up ahead, and she stalked up to it before pouncing.

With the resultant mice and vole in mouth, she returned to camp, dropping her quarry on the fresh-kill pile and moving over to Whitewing.

"Need any help?"

"Not at the moment. Dustpelt has this organised. Although some cat always needs to restock the fresh-kill pile."

"Already done."

Whitewing swivelled her head, licking her lips. "Excellent, I do love mouse."

Squirrelpaw smiled at the young warrior before bounding over to the nursery, snatching the vole from the pile as she passed it.

"Are they gone?" A young kit mewled, trembling.

"Hush, Larchkit. I'm sure it will be alright."

She poked her head through the entryway. Immediately Ferncloud unsheathed her claws, crouching over her kits.

"It's alright; it's just me."

"Great StarClan, Squirrelpaw, you startled me!"

"Sorry. The battle's over and we're just starting to rebuild. I brought you a vole." Respectfully laying the prey at Ferncloud's feet, she retreated out of the den and into the hubbub.

"Hey." Brambleclaw brushed his tail against her back.

"Brambleclaw! How did you fare?"

"I did alright, all things considered. Got a nasty scratch along my flank, but Leafpaw healed it up in no time."

"Good. Is there anyone who's seriously injured?"

"No. It's mainly clawed ears, nicked tails and bruised egos."

"Bruised egos?" Squirrelpaw inquired, stifling a mrrow of laughter.

"Spiderpaw got a bit cocky and tried to take on two BloodClanners at once. Sandstorm had to haul him out. I believe he's over there, getting a tongue-lashing from Mousefur."

"Ouch." She chuckled. Every cat the right side of Twolegplace knew about Mousefur's tongue – and knew to stay away.

"I was just going to fetch some thorns for Dustpelt and Brackenfur. Do you want to come?"

"Sure."

When they returned, the barrier looked near-complete. Hollykit, Birchkit and Larchkit happily frisked around camp, getting under every warrior's paws despite Ferncloud's desperate attempts to rein them in.

"Ah, the last thorns and brambles. Brilliant."

As they started to weave it into the entry near the gorse tunnel, Firestar leapt up onto the Highrock.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

A tinge of curiosity surged beneath her pelt. Why was Firestar calling a meeting?

"I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.

Squirrelpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." She mewed back, eyes widening. A warrior ceremony already? It seemed like yesterday that she'd joined the Clan, let alone completed training!

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Squirrelpaw, from this moment you will be known as Squirrelflight. StarClan honors your courage and resilience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Her father leapt down from the Highrock and touched his muzzle to hers. She licked his shoulder, then the chanting started.

"Squirrelflight! Squirrelflight!"

Beside her, Brambleclaw, Leafpaw and Sandstorm yowled their hearts out. She could see Whitewing doing much the same opposite them.

She felt a smile creep onto her face as she basked in the praise of her Clanmates. But now, it was getting dark, so she headed over to the gorse tunnel where Brackenfur and Dustpelt were finishing the rebuilding, sitting near the entrance.

She had a lot to reflect on.

And that's the end! Feel free to use this AU, but I won't be writing more on this. This was always just a small what-if fic and it will remain that way. Thanks for reading.